The Gamma Loop Facts

Question 1

Extrafusal Fibers are stimulated by what???

Answer 1

Alpha motor neurons and the muscle will contract or shorten

Question 2

When the muscle contracts/shortens this causes the muscle spindle to loosen and decreases firing of what?

Answer 2

1-a axon firing rate

Question 3

A decrease on the 1-a causes the Gamma motor neuron to stimulate what?

Answer 3

the intrafusal fiber/spindle to contract and adapt the new shortened length of the extrafusal fiber

Question 4

If there is a stimulation of the gamma motor neuron what happens to the intrafusal fiber as well as 1-a firing?

Answer 4

will contract the intrafusal fiber and this stimulates 1-a neuron firing

Question 5

The 1-a axon stimulates the alpha motor axon to contract the muscle, what is this phenomenon called ???

Answer 5

Indirect muscle contraction

Question 6

Stimulation of the gamma neuron only is seen with which tract?

Answer 6

Pontine (medial) reticulospinal tract